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Everyone has heard of Central Park, but Chicago also has its excellent city park along the shores of Lake Michigan called Lincoln Park. This massive coastal city park has it all and boasts plenty to keep one busy and entertained. Lincoln Park is one of the great things to see and do for those traveling on a budget and looking for something free to do while in Chicago.
There is everything in Lincoln Park from beaches for swimming, to zoos, to a must-see Oz Park themed from the time-honored Wizard of Oz. If one has explored Central Park in New York City, then take time to explore the United States' second most popular city park while visiting the Windy City.
Why Lincoln Park Is A Special City Park
"This picturesque neighborhood is a nature lover’s dream — manicured gardens, a hidden lily pond, a historic indoor botanical garden, and tons of lakefront green space with sweeping city views."
Lincoln Park is on the North Side of Chicago and is the city's largest public park. The part extends for seven miles (or 11 kilometers) from Grand Avenue to near Ardmore Avenue. Somewhat predictably, Lincoln Park is named after President Abraham Lincoln.
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It stretches almost to the Chicago Downtown and enjoys a whopping 20 million visitors annually. That is enough to make it the second most visited city park in the USA behind only Central Park in New York City.
- Size: 1,208-acre (489-hectare)
- Visitors: 20 Million
- Named: After President Abraham Lincoln
Why Lincoln Park Is Famous And Worth Seeing
The park is full of things to see and do, it has several museums, a zoo, beaches, nature reserves, harbors, parklands, and more. Recreational facilities in the park include basketball courts, beach volleyball courts, soccer fields, lacrosse fields, rugby pitches, tennis courts, an archery field, a driving range, a golf course, a skate park, and more.
Lincoln Park has beaches for swimming, public art, bird refuges, and landscaped gardens.
Museums:
- Chicago History Museum
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Lincoln Park is also home to one of the country's oldest free zoos - Lincoln Park Zoo.
Top Attractions In Lincoln Park:
- The Lakefront Trail
- Lincoln Park Zoo
- Lincoln Park Conservatory
- North Avenue Beach
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
- Chicago History Museum
- Nature Boardwalk
- Farm in the Zoo
- Theater on the Lake
One can spend a whole day (or more) exploring Lincoln Park and still not see it all. The best time to see Lincoln Park is in the spring, summer, and early autumn months. It may be very cold in the winter months - the park extends along the Lake Michigan waterfront, and they don't call Chicago the Windy City for nothing.
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There are plenty of things to see and do in Lincoln Park. Plan ahead and check Lincoln Park's calendar to see what events are on. Lincoln Park's office hours are 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.
- Office Hours For Lincoln Park: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm
Free Guided Tours Of Chicago And Lincoln Park
If one would like a free guided tour of Lincoln Park and Chicago, then there are free tours offered by Chicago Greeter. On these tours, guests explore the neighborhoods of Chicago with a knowledgeable and friendly local guide. Guests delve into the rich histories and hidden treasures of the iconic city.
The tours open up aspects of the city that one would not have imagined and will go into parts of the city that one would otherwise not have ventured into.
The tours can be customized based on one's choice of neighborhoods, language, and interests and can be made for Lincoln Park. They offer customized neighborhood tours of Chicago, flexible tours of downtown, and self-guided walks.
Their free tours are available seasonally from May through August on Saturdays.
- Season: May Through August
- Days: Saturdays
- Cost: Free (or Pay-What-You-Want)
If one really loves Chicago and would like to share the city with others, one can also sign up as a Volunteer as a Chicago Greeter.